Data transmission method and data transmission apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is a data transmission method and a data transmission apparatus. The method includes: obtaining measurement results of channel transmission qualities of multiple channels, where a data duplication transmission function is configured on the multiple channels and is used for indicating an establishment of multiple connections with a terminal on the multiple channels, and the multiple connections are used for simultaneous transmissions of duplicated data on the multiple channels; determining, according to the obtained measurement results, whether to activate the data duplication transmission function; and performing a data transmission with the terminal on the multiple channels according to a determination result. A problem, in relevant technology, that the transmission resource consumption is large when the data transmission is performed in the manner of duplication transmission is solved, and the effects of improving link transmission quality and reducing transmission resource consumption are achieved.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 asa continuation of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/CN2018/111228, filed onOct. 22, 2018, which claims priority to Chinese patent application no.201711147211.8, filed on Nov. 17, 2017, the disclosure of each of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications and inparticular, to a data transmission method and a data transmissionapparatus.

BACKGROUND

The 5th-generation mobile communication technology (5G) networkarchitecture has innovation and networking flexibility, and a basestation on a wireless access network side in the 5G network is separatedinto two functional entities, i.e., a centralized unit (CU) and adistributed unit (DU). One base station includes one CU and one or moreDUs. In the CU/DU separated network architecture, a delay-insensitivenetwork function is placed in a first network element (e.g., a CU), anda delay-sensitive network function is placed in a second network element(e.g., a DU). The first network element and the second network elementperform transmission through an ideal and/or non-ideal fronthaulnetwork, as shown in FIG. 1.

In an existing CU/DU separated architecture, the CU/DU higher-layerseparation solution (as shown in FIG. 2) is: placing a packet dataconvergence protocol (PDCP) layer and a layer above the PDCP layer inthe CU, and placing a radio link control (RLC) layer and a layer belowthe RLC layer in the DU. In the CU/DU architecture, a terminal mayestablish multiple connections in a carrier aggregation manner withmultiple carriers in one DU, or may establish multiple connections withmultiple DUs under one CU. In order to improve the reliability of datatransmission, the CU may send copies of the same data to differentconnections when sending traffic-bearing data to the terminal.Accordingly, when the terminal sends the traffic-bearing data to the CU,the terminal may send copies of the same data to different connections.Such type of data transmission is called duplication transmission. Inthis way, even if the terminal does not receive, on one link, the datasent by the network side, the terminal may also receive the duplicateddata on another link (the network side receives data sent by theterminal in a similar way), which can greatly improve the reliability ofreceiving traffic data by the terminal and reduce the packet loss rate.

Downlink data transmission is taken as an example to illustrate theduplication transmission.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal establishes multiple connections withmultiple carriers in one DU in the carrier aggregation manner. Trafficof the terminal is born on two data transmission channels establishedbetween the CU and the DU. In FIG. 3, two F1 data transmission channelsare provided, and the CU sends the duplicated data (PDCP protocol dataunit 1 (PDU1) in FIG. 3) to the two data transmission channels. Afterthe data is received, the DU sends the data on different transmissionchannels to the terminal through different logical channels. Radioresource control (RRC), PDCP and the like in FIG. 3 respectivelycorrespond to new radio (NR) RRC, NR PDCP and the like in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal establishes multiple connections withmultiple DUs under one CU in a manner of multi-DU connection. The CU isconnected to each different DU through a respective F1 data channel. TheCU sends the duplicated data (PDCP PDU1 in FIG. 4) to two DUs. After thedata is received, the DUs send the data to the terminal.

However, a problem exists that the transmission resource consumption islarge when the data transmission is performed in the manner ofduplication transmission in relevant technology.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a data transmission methodand a data transmission apparatus for at least solving the problem, inrelevant technology, that the transmission resource consumption is largewhen the data transmission is performed in the manner of duplicationtransmission.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a data transmissionmethod. The data transmission method includes: obtaining measurementresults of channel transmission qualities of multiple channels, where adata duplication transmission function is configured on the multiplechannels and is used for indicating an establishment of multipleconnections with a terminal on the multiple channels, and the multipleconnections are used for simultaneous transmissions of duplicated dataon the multiple channels; determining, according to the obtainedmeasurement results, whether to activate the data duplicationtransmission function; and performing data transmission with theterminal on the plurality of channels according to a determinationresult.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a data transmissionapparatus. The data transmission apparatus includes: an obtainingmodule, which is arranged to obtain measurement results of channeltransmission qualities of multiple channels, where a data duplicationtransmission function is configured on the multiple channels and is usedfor indicating an establishment of multiple connections with a terminalon the multiple channels, and the multiple connections are used forsimultaneous transmissions of duplicated data on the multiple channels;a determination module, which is arranged to determine, according to theobtained measurement results, whether to activate the data duplicationtransmission function; and a transmission module, which is arranged toperform a data transmission with the terminal on the multiple channelsaccording to a determination result of the determination module.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a CU. The CUincludes any data transmission apparatus described above.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a DU. The DUincludes any data transmission apparatus described above.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a storagemedium. The storage medium includes stored programs which, when beingexecuted, perform any data transmission method described above.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a processor.The processor is arranged to execute programs which, when beingexecuted, perform any data transmission method described above.

Through the present disclosure, the data duplication transmissionfunction is configured on the multiple channels, and it is determinedwhether to activate the data duplication transmission function accordingto the measurement results of the channel transmission qualities of themultiple channels, so that the data duplication transmission function isactivated when necessary. Thus, the link transmission quality isguaranteed and the waste of transmission resources is avoided at thesame time. Therefore, the problem in relevant technology that thetransmission resource consumption is large when the data transmission isperformed in the manner of duplication transmission can be solved, andthe effects of improving link transmission quality and reducingtransmission resource consumption are achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are used to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure, and form a part of the presentapplication. The exemplary embodiments and descriptions thereof in thepresent disclosure are used to explain the present disclosure and do notlimit the present disclosure in any improper way. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an interface between a first networkelement and a second network element in relevant technology;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a CU-DU higher-layer separationsolution in relevant technology;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of duplication transmission in a carrieraggregation manner in relevant technology;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of duplication transmission based onconnections with multiple DUs under one CU in relevant technology;

FIG. 5 is a hardware structural block diagram of a CU for a datatransmission method according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a data transmission method according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a DU downlink channel qualitymeasurement apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 1 of duplication transmission based on multipleconnections with one DU according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart 2 of duplication transmission based on multipleconnections with one DU according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of duplication transmission based on multipleconnections with multiple DUs under one CU according to a preferredembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a structural block diagram 1 of a data transmission apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a structural block diagram 2 of a data transmission apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a structural block diagram of a CU according to an embodimentof the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 is a structural block diagram of a DU according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail withreference to the drawings and in conjunction with embodiments. It is tobe noted that if not in collision, the embodiments and features thereinin the present application may be combined with each other.

It is to be noted that the terms “first”, “second” and the like in thedescription, claims and above drawings of the present disclosure areused to distinguish between similar objects and are not necessarily usedto describe a particular order or sequence.

Embodiment 1

Embodiments directed to method provided by the embodiment 1 of thepresent application may be executed in a CU, a DU or other similarcomputing apparatuses. Taking a method to be executed by a mobileterminal as an example, FIG. 5 is a hardware structural block diagram ofa CU for a data transmission method according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, a CU 50 may include one or more(only one is shown in the figure) processors 52 (the processor 52 mayinclude, but is not limited to, a microprocessor such as amicrocontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device such as a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or other processing apparatuses), amemory 54 used for storing data, and a transmission apparatus 56 usedfor implementing a communication function. It should be understood bythose skilled in the art that the structure shown in FIG. 5 is merelyillustrative and not intended to limit the structure of the electronicapparatus described above. For example, the CU 50 may include more orless components than the components shown in FIG. 5, or may have aconfiguration different from the configuration shown in FIG. 5.

The memory 54 may be configured to store software programs and modulesof application software, such as program instructions/modulescorresponding to the data transmission method in the embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The one or more processors 52 execute the softwareprograms and modules stored in the memory 54 to perform functionalapplications and data processing, that is, to implement the methoddescribed above. The memory 54 may include a high-speed random accessmemory, or may include a nonvolatile memory such as one or more magneticstorage apparatuses, flash memories or other nonvolatile solid-statememories. In some examples, the memory 54 may further include memoriesthat are remotely disposed with respect to the processors 52. Theseremote memories may be connected to the CU 50 via a network. Examples ofthe preceding network include, but are not limited to, the Internet, anintranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network and acombination thereof.

The transmission apparatus 56 is arranged to receive or send data via anetwork. Specific examples of such a network may include a wirelessnetwork provided by a communication provider of the CU 50. In oneexample, the transmission apparatus 56 includes a network interfacecontroller (NIC), which may be connected to other network devices via abase station and thus be capable of communicating with the Internet. Inone example, the transmission apparatus 56 may be a radio frequency (RF)module, which is arranged to communicate with the Internet wirelessly.

In relevant technology, data transmission is performed in the manner ofduplication transmission. Through the duplication technology, thenetwork side sends the duplicated data on the links of differentconnections to the terminal to provide the terminal with reliability ofreceiving data. However, the duplication technology needs to consumeextra transmission resources. For example, when one of the links is ofvery good quality, the data duplication transmission function may bedeactivated and transmission may be performed on only one link to savetransmission resources. For another example, when two links are of goodquality, the data duplication transmission function is deactivated anddifferent data is sent on the two links to improve the data rate ofterminal traffic. For another example, when a link is of very poorquality, the data duplication transmission function is deactivated. Itis meaningless to send the duplicated data on the link since the qualityof the link is poor. Thus, the data duplication transmission functionmay be activated or deactivated according to determination of thedownlink transmission quality.

In the CU/DU separated architecture, copies of the same data are sent bythe CU to different links. The CU cannot determine the downlink qualityof the DU in time, so it is difficult for the CU to determine whether toactivate or deactivate the data duplication transmission function of thedata duplication transmission function. Therefore, in the CU/DUseparated situation, it needs to be considered how to determine whetherto activate or deactivate the duplication transmission function onmultiple links connected with the terminal.

An embodiment provides a data transmission method to be executed in theCU or DU described above. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a data transmissionmethod according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6, the method includes the steps described below.

In S602, measurement results of channel transmission qualities ofmultiple channels are obtained. A data duplication transmission functionis configured on the multiple channels and is used for indicating anestablishment of multiple connections with a terminal on the multiplechannels. The multiple connections are used for simultaneoustransmissions of duplicated data on the multiple channels.

In S604, it is determined, according to the obtained measurementresults, whether to activate the data duplication transmission function.

In S606, data transmission with the terminal is performed on themultiple channels according to a determination result.

Through the above steps, the data duplication transmission function isconfigured on the multiple channels, and it is determined whether toactivate the data duplication transmission function according to themeasurement results of the channel transmission qualities of themultiple channels, so that the data duplication transmission function isactivated when necessary. Thus, the link transmission quality isguaranteed and the waste of transmission resources is avoided at thesame time. Therefore, the problem, in relevant technology, that thetransmission resource consumption is large when the data transmission isperformed in the manner of duplication transmission is solved, linktransmission quality is improved and transmission resource consumptionis reduced.

Optionally, the above steps may, but may not necessarily, be performedby a CU, a DU or the like.

Optionally, the step S606 may include: in a case that the determinationresult indicates that the data duplication transmission function isactivated, performing transmissions of the duplicated data with theterminal on the multiple connections corresponding to the multiplechannels. That is, the duplicated data is sent to the terminal or theduplicated data sent by the terminal is received on the multiplechannels corresponding to the multiple connections.

Optionally, two cases may be included when the determination resultindicates that the data duplication transmission function is activated:the data duplication transmission function is activated before thedetermination is performed and then is kept on; and the data duplicationtransmission function is not activated before the determination isperformed and then is activated.

Optionally, the step S606 may further include: in a case that thedetermination result indicates that the data duplication transmissionfunction is not activated, determining one channel from the multiplechannels for performing the data transmission with the terminal.

Optionally, two cases may be included when the determination resultindicates that the data duplication transmission function is notactivated: the data duplication transmission function is activatedbefore the determination is performed and then is deactivated; and thedata duplication transmission function is deactivated before thedetermination is performed and then is kept off. Optionally, in the casethat the determination result indicates that the data duplicationtransmission function is not activated, one channel may be determinedfrom the multiple channels in many manners for performing the datatransmission with the terminal.

In an optional manner, a first channel on which a channel transmissionquality is higher than a specified threshold is obtained, and it isdetermined, according to the first channel, a channel for performing thedata transmission with the terminal. For example, the threshold may bepre-specified, and in a case where only one channel (i.e., the channelhaving the highest channel transmission quality) has a channeltransmission quality higher than the threshold, the one channel may bedetermined as the channel for performing the data transmission with theterminal. When multiple channels have channel transmission qualitieshigher than the threshold, one of the multiple channels may bedetermined as the channel for performing the data transmission with theterminal. For another example, a channel having the highest (best)channel transmission quality among the multiple channels may be selectedand determined as the channel for performing the data transmission withthe terminal.

In another optional manner, one of the multiple channels may beper-specified as a default channel (second channel), and in the casethat the determination result indicates that the data duplicationtransmission function is not activated, the default channel isdetermined as the channel for performing the data transmission with theterminal.

Optionally, in the step S604, it may be determined in many mannerswhether to activate the data duplication transmission function. Forexample, in a case that the measurement results indicate that thechannel transmission qualities of all of the multiple channels meet apreset condition, the data duplication transmission function may bedetermined to be activated; or in a case that the measurement resultsindicate that the channel transmission quality of at least one of themultiple channels does not meet the preset condition, the dataduplication transmission function may be determined not to be activated.The preset condition includes that: the channel transmission quality ishigher than a first preset threshold and lower than a second presetthreshold. The second preset threshold is greater than the first presetthreshold.

Description is made below. For a channel having a channel transmissionquality higher than the second preset threshold, the quality of thislink is good. Therefore, the data duplication transmission function maybe deactivated, and data is transmitted only on one link. For a channelhaving a channel transmission quality lower than the first presetthreshold, the quality of this link is very poor. It is meaningless tosend the duplicated data on this link, and the data duplicationtransmission function may be considered to be deactivated. In anoptional manner, when a channel transmission quality of a channel islower than the first preset threshold, the channel may also beconsidered to be ignored, and data duplication transmission(simultaneous transmissions of the duplicated data) may be performed onchannels other than the channel among the multiple channels.

Optionally, in the step S602, the measurement results may be obtained inmany manners. In an optional manner, the CU may receive the measurementresults reported by one or more DUs. The measurement results areobtained after the one or more DUs measure the channel transmissionqualities of the multiple channels. For example, for the dataduplication transmission function for multiple connections between thesame DU and the terminal, the CU may receive the measurement results ofthe channel qualities of multiple channels measured and sent by the DU.For another example, for the data duplication transmission function formultiple connections between different DUs under the same CU and theterminal, the CU may receive the measurement results of the channelqualities of respective channels measured and sent by different DUs. Inanother optional manner, the DU may measure the channel transmissionqualities of multiple channels and obtain the measurement results.

Optionally, after the step S604, the method may include: after the CUobtains the determination result, the CU may send a first indicationmessage for indicating whether to activate the data duplicationtransmission function to the DU. The DU may clear a buffer related tothe multiple connections according to the received first indicationmessage, or notify the terminal according to the indication messagewhether to activate the data duplication transmission function. Themethod may further include that: after the DU obtains the determinationresult, the DU may send a second indication message for indicatingwhether to activate the data duplication transmission function to theCU, so that the CU performs a corresponding operation according to thesecond indication message, for example, the CU sends the duplicated datato the multiple channels, and for another example, the CU stops sendingthe duplicated data to the multiple channels.

Optionally, the above measurement result may be one of “linktransmission quality abnormality indication” or “link transmissionquality recovery indication”, or may, but may not necessarily, be one ormore of: a channel quality indication (CQI) measurement result, asounding reference signal (SRS) measurement result, a downlink bufferdata transmission delay measurement result, a radio link control (RLC)retransmission number measurement result, and a hybrid automatic repeatrequest (HARD) retransmission number measurement result.

On the basis of the above embodiments and preferred embodiments and inorder to describe the entire process interaction of the solution, a datatransmission method is provided in a preferred embodiment. The method isdescribed below in detail. It is to be noted that a downlink datatransmission is taken as an example for description of data transmissionin the preferred embodiment. Accordingly, channel transmission qualityof a channel is channel transmission quality of a downlink channel.Uplink data transmission is similar to the downlink data transmission,so repetition is not made herein.

The preferred embodiment is applicable to the case where the networkside determines whether to activate or deactivate the data duplicationtransmission function (i.e., the above-mentioned data duplicationtransmission function) when the base station is in the CU/DU separatedsituation and multiple connections are provided between the terminal andthe network side.

In an optional manner, the data transmission method in the preferredembodiment may include the steps described below.

In a step 1, the DU measures a transmission quality of a downlinkchannel (such measurement may, but may not necessarily, include one ormore of: a CQI measurement report reported by a terminal, an SRSmeasurement, a downlink buffer data transmission delay, an RLCretransmission number, an HARQ retransmission number measurement, etc.).

In a step 2, if the data duplication transmission function is configuredin the multiple connections between the same DU and the terminal, the DUmay determine, according to the measured transmission qualities ofrespective different links connected with the terminal, whether toactivate the data duplication transmission function on the multiplelinks between the DU and the terminal. Moreover, the DU sends a“duplication indication” message (functioning as the foregoing secondindication message) to the CU. The determination result of duplicationis included in the message and is used for notifying the CU whether thedata duplication transmission function is activated or deactivated. TheCU receives the “duplication indication” message reported by the DU. Ifthe message indicates that the data duplication transmission function isactivated, the CU may send the duplicated data to the multiple linksconnected with the terminal; and if the message indicates that the dataduplication transmission function is deactivated, the CU stops sendingthe duplicated data to the multiple links connected with the terminal,and the process ends.

If the data duplication transmission function is configured in themultiple connections between different DUs under the same CU and theterminal, the DUs report measurement results of downlink channeltransmission qualities to the CU. Each reported measurement result maybe one of “link transmission quality abnormality indication” or “linktransmission quality recovery indication”, or may, but may notnecessarily, be one or more of: a CQI measurement result, an SRSmeasurement result, a downlink buffer data transmission delaymeasurement result, an RLC retransmission number measurement result, andan HARQ retransmission number measurement result.

In a step 3, the CU receives the results of the downlink channeltransmission qualities of the terminal reported by the DUs, anddetermines, according to quality of each link, whether to activate ordeactivate the data duplication transmission function. If the dataduplication transmission function is determined to be activated, the CUmay send the duplicated data to the multiple links connected with theterminal. If the data duplication transmission function is determined tobe deactivated, the CU stops sending the duplicated data to the multiplelinks connected with the terminal. Optionally, the CU may send a“duplication indication” message to the DU. The determination result ofduplication is included in the message and is used for notifying the DUwhether the data duplication transmission function is activated ordeactivated on the network side.

The data transmission method in the preferred embodiment will bedescribed below in conjunction with specific examples.

Example 1

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a DU downlink channel qualitymeasurement apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The apparatus is used for determining downlink duplicationon the network side.

As shown in FIG. 7, the measurement apparatus is used for measurement ofdownlink channel transmission quality. Such measurement may, but may notnecessarily, include one or more of: a CQI measurement report, an SRSmeasurement, a downlink buffer data transmission delay, an RLCretransmission number measurement, an HARQ retransmission numbermeasurement, and the like. The measurement result is used for the DU todirectly determine whether to activate or deactivate the dataduplication transmission function of the multiple links bearing trafficof the terminal; or the measurement result is reported to the CU and isused for the CU to determine whether to activate or deactivate the dataduplication transmission function of the multiple links bearing trafficof the terminal.

Example 2

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 1 of duplication transmission based on multipleconnections with one DU according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In the example, the terminal establishes multipleconnections with the same DU and receives downlink data. The DUdetermines whether to activate or deactivate the data duplicationtransmission function. As shown in FIG. 8, the process includes thesteps described below.

In a step 1, the DU measures downlink channel qualities, and determines,according to the measured transmission qualities of respective differentlinks connected with the terminal, whether to activate a duplicationfunction (i.e., data duplication transmission function) on the multiplelinks between the DU and the terminal.

In a step 2, the DU sends a “duplication indication” message to the CU.

The determination result of the duplication function is included in the“duplication indication” message, and is used for notifying the CUwhether the duplication function is activated or deactivated.

In a step 3, the CU receives the “duplication indication” messagereported by the DU. If the duplication indication message indicates thatthe duplication function is activated, the CU sends the duplicated datato the multiple links connected with the terminal; and if theduplication indication message indicates that the duplication functionis deactivated, the CU stops sending the duplicated data to the multiplelinks connected with the terminal.

The CU receives the “duplication indication” message reported by the DU.If the message indicates that the duplication function is activated, theCU may send the duplicated data to the multiple links connected with theterminal; and if the message indicates that the duplication function isdeactivated, the CU stops sending the duplicated data to the multiplelinks connected with the terminal.

Example 3

FIG. 9 is a flowchart 2 of duplication transmission based on multipleconnections with one DU according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In the example, the terminal establishes multipleconnections with the same DU and receives downlink data. The CUdetermines whether to activate or deactivate the data duplicationtransmission function. As shown in FIG. 9, the process includes thesteps described below.

In a step 1, the DU measures downlink channel transmission qualities.

In a step 2, the DU reports quality measurement results of multipledownlink links between the terminal and the DU to the CU.

In a step 3, the CU determines, according to the quality of each link,whether to activate or deactivate a duplication function. If theduplication function is determined to be activated, the CU may send theduplicated data to the multiple links connected with the terminal. Ifthe duplication function is determined to be deactivated, the CU stopssending the duplicated data to the multiple links connected with theterminal.

After the CU receives downlink channel transmission quality results ofthe terminal reported by the DU, the step 3 is performed.

In a step 4, the CU sends a “duplication indication” message to the DU.The determination result of duplication is included in the message andis used for notifying the DU whether the duplication function isactivated or deactivated on the network side.

The step 4 is an optional step.

Example 4

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of duplication transmission based on multipleconnections with multiple DUs under one CU according to a preferredembodiment of the present disclosure. In the example, the terminalestablishes multiple connections with multiple DUs under the same CU andreceives downlink data. The CU determines whether to activate ordeactivate the data duplication transmission function. As shown in FIG.10, the process includes the steps described below.

In a step 1, the terminal establishes multiple connections with multipleDUs under the same CU, and different DUs measure downlink channeltransmission qualities of the terminal.

In a step 2, the DUs report the measurement results of the downlinkchannel transmission qualities to the CU.

In a step 3, the CU receives the downlink channel transmission qualityresults of the terminal reported by different DUs, and determines,according to the quality of each link, whether to activate or deactivatea duplication function. If the duplication function is determined to beactivated, the CU sends the duplicated data to the multiple linksconnected with the terminal. If the duplication function is determinedto be deactivated, the CU stops sending the duplicated data to themultiple links connected with the terminal.

In a step 4, the CU sends a “duplication indication” message to themultiple DUs. The determination result of the duplication function isincluded in the message and is used for notifying the DUs whether theduplication function is activated or deactivated on the network side.

The step 4 is an optional step.

With the above technical solution of the preferred embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the CU or the DU determines, according to themeasurement results of the channel transmission qualities of themultiple channels for multiple connections, whether the data duplicationtransmission function needs to be activated or deactivated, therebysaving transmission resources. Further, when the CU performs thedetermination, the CU may learn about the downlink quality of the DU intime through the interaction with the DU, and then determines whether toactivate or deactivate the data duplication transmission function. Theproblem, in the relevant technology, that the transmission resourceconsumption is large when the data transmission is performed in themanner of duplication transmission is solved, and the effects ofimproving link transmission quality and reducing transmission resourceconsumption are achieved.

From the description of the embodiment described above, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the method in the embodimentsdescribed above may be implemented by software plus a necessarygeneral-purpose hardware platform, or may of course be implemented byhardware. However, in many cases, the former is a preferredimplementation mode. Based on this understanding, the solutions providedby the present disclosure substantially, or the part contributing to theexisting art, may be embodied in the form of a software product. Thecomputer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as aread-only memory (ROM)/random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or anoptical disk) and the storage medium includes several instructions forenabling a terminal device (which may be a mobile phone, a computer, aserver, a network device, or the like) to perform the method accordingto each embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiment 2

A data transmission apparatus, a CU and a DU are further provided in anembodiment. The apparatus and various units are used for implementingthe above-mentioned embodiments and preferred embodiments. What has beendescribed will not be repeated. As used below, the term “module” may besoftware, hardware or a combination thereof capable of implementingpredetermined functions. The apparatus in the embodiment described belowis preferably implemented by software, but implementation by hardware orby a combination of software and hardware is also possible andconceived.

FIG. 11 is a structural block diagram 1 of a data transmission apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.11, the apparatus includes an obtaining module 112, a determinationmodule 114 and a transmission module 116.

The obtaining module 112 is arranged to obtain measurement results ofchannel transmission qualities of multiple channels. A data duplicationtransmission function is configured on the multiple channels and is usedfor indicating an establishment of multiple connections with a terminalon the multiple channels. The multiple connections are used forsimultaneous transmission of the duplicated data on the multiplechannels.

The determination module 114 is connected to the obtaining module 112,and is arranged to determine, according to the obtained measurementresults, whether to activate the data duplication transmission function.

The transmission module 116 is connected to the obtaining module 114,and is arranged to perform a data transmission with the terminal on themultiple channels according to a determination result of thedetermination module.

Optionally, the transmission module 116 may include a first transmissionunit. The first transmission unit is described below.

The first transmission unit is arranged to: in a case that thedetermination result indicates that the data duplication transmissionfunction is activated, perform transmissions of the duplicated data withthe terminal on the multiple connections corresponding to the multiplechannels.

Optionally, the transmission module 116 may further include a secondtransmission unit. The first transmission unit is described below.

The second transmission unit is arranged to: in a case that thedetermination result indicates that the data duplication transmissionfunction is not activated, determine a channel from the multiplechannels, for performing the data transmission with the terminal.

Optionally, the second transmission unit is further arranged to: in thecase that the determination result indicates that the data duplicationtransmission function is not activated, obtain a first channel on whicha channel transmission quality is higher than a specified threshold, anddetermine, according to the first channel, a channel for performing thedata transmission with the terminal; or obtain a pre-specified secondchannel, and determine the second channel as the channel for performingthe data transmission with the terminal.

Optionally, the determination module 114 may include: a determining unitwhich is described below.

The determining unit is arranged to: in a case that the measurementresults indicate that the channel transmission quality of all of themultiple channels meet a preset condition, determine to activate thedata duplication transmission function; or in a case that themeasurement results indicate that the channel transmission quality of atleast one of the multiple channels does not meet the preset condition,determine not to activate the data duplication transmission function.The preset condition includes that: the channel transmission quality ishigher than a first preset threshold and lower than a second presetthreshold. The second preset threshold is greater than the first presetthreshold.

Optionally, the obtaining module 112 may include: a receiving unit whichis described below. The receiving unit is arranged to receive themeasurement results reported by one or more DUs. The measurement resultsare obtained after the one or more DUs measure the channel transmissionqualities of the multiple channels.

Optionally, the obtaining module 112 may include: a measurement unit andan obtaining unit which are described below.

The measurement unit is arranged to measure the channel transmissionqualities of the multiple channels.

The obtaining unit is connected to the measurement unit and is arrangedto obtain the measurement results.

FIG. 12 is a structural block diagram 2 of a data transmission apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.12, the apparatus further includes a sending module 122 in addition toall of the modules shown in FIG. 11.

The sending module 122 is connected to the determination module 114 andis arranged to: after the determination result is obtained, send a firstindication message for indicating whether to activate the dataduplication transmission function to a DU; or after the determinationresult is obtained, send a second indication message for indicatingwhether to activate the data duplication transmission function to a CU.

FIG. 13 is a structural block diagram of a CU according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 13, the DU includes the datatransmission apparatus 132 described in any above-mentioned embodiment.

Optionally, the CU may further include: a receiving unit, which isarranged to receive the measurement results reported by one or more DUs.The measurement results are obtained after the one or more DUs measurethe channel transmission qualities of the multiple channels.

Optionally, the receiving unit may be located in the obtaining module ofthe data transmission apparatus of the CU.

Optionally, the CU may further include: a sending module, which isarranged to: after the determination result is obtained, send anindication message for indicating whether to activate the dataduplication transmission function to a DU.

FIG. 14 is a structural block diagram of a DU according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 14, the DU includes the datatransmission apparatus 142 described in any above-mentioned embodiment.

Optionally, the DU may further include: a measurement unit, which isarranged to measure the channel transmission qualities of the multiplechannels; and an obtaining unit, which is arranged to obtain themeasurement results.

Optionally, the measurement unit and the obtaining unit may be locatedin the obtaining module of the data transmission apparatus of the DU.

Optionally, the DU may further include: a sending module, which isarranged to: after the determination result is obtained, send anindication message for indicating whether to activate the dataduplication transmission function to a CU.

It is to be noted that the various modules described above may beimplemented by software or hardware. Implementation by hardware may, butmay not necessarily, be performed in the following manners: the variousmodules described above are located in a same processor, or the variousmodules described above are located in different processors in anycombination form.

Embodiment 3

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a storagemedium. The storage medium includes stored programs which, when beingexecuted, perform any of above-mentioned methods.

Optionally, in the embodiment, the storage medium may be arranged tostore program codes for performing steps described below.

In S1, measurement results of channel transmission qualities of multiplechannels are obtained. A data duplication transmission function isconfigured on the multiple channels and is used for indicating anestablishment of multiple connections with a terminal on the multiplechannels. The multiple connections are used for simultaneoustransmission of the duplicated data on the multiple channels.

In S2, it is determined, according to the obtained measurement results,whether to activate the data duplication transmission function.

In S3, a data transmission with the terminal is performed on themultiple channels according to a determination result.

Optionally, the storage medium is further arranged to store programcodes for performing the step described below.

The step of performing the data transmission with the terminal on themultiple channels according to the determination result includes thestep described below.

In a case that the determination result indicates that the dataduplication transmission function is activated, transmissions of theduplicated data with the terminal are performed on the multipleconnections corresponding to the multiple channels.

Optionally, the storage medium is further arranged to store programcodes for performing the step described below.

The step of performing the data transmission with the terminal on themultiple channels according to the determination result includes thestep described below.

In a case that the determination result indicates that the dataduplication transmission function is not activated, a channel isdetermined from the multiple channels, for performing the datatransmission with the terminal.

Optionally, the storage medium is further arranged to store programcodes for performing the step described below.

The step of determining the channel from the multiple channels forperforming the data transmission with the terminal in the case that thedetermination result indicates that the data duplication transmissionfunction is not activated includes the step described below.

In S1, a first channel on which a channel transmission quality is higherthan a specified threshold is obtained, and it is determined, accordingto the first channel, a channel for performing the data transmissionwith the terminal.

Or in S2, a pre-specified second channel is obtained, and the secondchannel is determined as the channel for performing the datatransmission with the terminal.

Optionally, the storage medium is further arranged to store programcodes for performing the step described below.

The step of determining, according to the obtained measurement results,whether to activate the data duplication transmission function includesthe step described below.

In S1, in a case that the measurement results indicate that the channeltransmission quality of all of the multiple channels meet a presetcondition, the data duplication transmission function is determined tobe activated.

Or in S2, in a case that the measurement results indicate that thechannel transmission quality of at least one of the multiple channelsdoes not meet the preset condition, the data duplication transmissionfunction is determined not to be activated.

The preset condition includes that: the channel transmission quality ishigher than a first preset threshold and lower than a second presetthreshold. The second preset threshold is greater than the first presetthreshold.

Optionally, the storage medium is further arranged to store programcodes for performing the step described below.

The step of obtaining the measurement results of the channeltransmission qualities of the multiple channels includes the stepdescribed below.

In S1, a CU receives the measurement results reported by one or moreDUs. The measurement results are obtained after the one or more DUsmeasure the channel transmission qualities of the multiple channels.

Or in S2, a DU measures the channel transmission qualities of themultiple channels; and the DU obtains the measurement results.

Optionally, the storage medium is further arranged to store programcodes for performing the step described below.

The step of obtaining the measurement results of the channeltransmission quality of the multiple channels includes the stepdescribed below.

After the step of determining, according to the obtained measurementresults, whether to activate the data duplication transmission function,the method further includes the step described below.

In S1, after a CU obtains the determination result, the CU sends a firstindication message for indicating whether to activate the dataduplication transmission function to a DU.

Or in S2, after a DU obtains the determination result, the DU sends asecond indication message for indicating whether to activate the dataduplication transmission function to a CU.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the storage medium may include, but is notlimited to, a USB flash disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random accessmemory (RAM), a mobile hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk oranother medium capable of storing the program codes.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a processor.The processor is configured to execute programs which, when beingexecuted, perform the steps of any above-mentioned method.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the programs described above are used forperforming the steps described below.

In S1, measurement results of channel transmission qualities of multiplechannels are obtained.

A data duplication transmission function is configured on the multiplechannels and is used for indicating an establishment of multipleconnections with a terminal on the multiple channels. The multipleconnections are used for simultaneous transmission of the duplicateddata on the multiple channels.

In S2, it is determined, according to the obtained measurement results,whether to activate the data duplication transmission function.

In S3, a data transmission with the terminal is performed on themultiple channels according to a determination result.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the programs described above are used forperforming the step described below.

The step of performing the data transmission with the terminal on themultiple channels according to the determination result includes thestep described below.

In a case that the determination result indicates that the dataduplication transmission function is activated, transmissions of theduplicated data with the terminal are performed on the multipleconnections corresponding to the multiple channels.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the programs described above are used forperforming the step described below.

The step of performing the data transmission with the terminal on themultiple channels according to the determination result includes thestep described below.

In a case that the determination result indicates that the dataduplication transmission function is not activated, a channel isdetermined from the multiple channels, for performing the datatransmission with the terminal.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the programs described above are used forperforming the step described below.

The step of determining the channel from the multiple channels forperforming the data transmission with the terminal in the case that thedetermination result indicates that the data duplication transmissionfunction is not activated includes the step described below.

In S1, a first channel on which a channel transmission quality is higherthan a specified threshold is obtained, and it is determined, accordingto the first channel, a channel for performing the data transmissionwith the terminal.

Or in S2, a pre-specified second channel is obtained, and the secondchannel is determined as the channel for performing the datatransmission with the terminal.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the programs described above are used forperforming the step described below.

The step of determining, according to the obtained measurement results,whether to activate the data duplication transmission function includesthe step described below.

In S1, in a case that the measurement results indicate that the channeltransmission qualities of all of the multiple channels meet a presetcondition, the data duplication transmission function is determined tobe activated.

Or in S2, in a case that the measurement results indicate that thechannel transmission quality of at least one of the multiple channelsdoes not meet the preset condition, the data duplication transmissionfunction is determined not to be activated.

The preset condition includes that: the channel transmission quality ishigher than a first preset threshold and lower than a second presetthreshold. The second preset threshold is greater than the first presetthreshold.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the programs described above are used forperforming the step described below.

The step of obtaining the measurement results of the channeltransmission qualities of the multiple channels includes the stepdescribed below.

In S1, a CU receives the measurement results reported by one or moreDUs. The measurement results are obtained after the one or more DUsmeasure the channel transmission qualities of the multiple channels.

Or in S2, a DU measures the channel transmission qualities of themultiple channels; and the DU obtains the measurement results.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the programs described above are used forperforming the step described below.

The step of obtaining the measurement results of the channeltransmission qualities of the multiple channels includes the stepdescribed below.

After the step of determining, according to the obtained measurementresults, whether to activate the data duplication transmission function,the method further includes the step described below.

In S1, after a CU obtains the determination result, the CU sends a firstindication message for indicating whether to activate the dataduplication transmission function to a DU.

Or in S2, after a DU obtains the determination result, the DU sends asecond indication message for indicating whether to activate the dataduplication transmission function to a CU.

Optionally, for specific examples in the embodiment, reference may bemade to the examples described in the above-mentioned embodiments andoptional embodiments, and repetition will not be made in the embodiment.

Apparently, it should be understood by those skilled in the art thateach of the above-mentioned modules or steps of the present disclosuremay be implemented by a general-purpose computing apparatus, the modulesor steps may be concentrated on a single computing apparatus ordistributed on a network composed of multiple computing apparatuses, andalternatively, the modules or steps may be implemented by program codesexecutable by the computing apparatus, so that the modules or steps maybe stored in a storage apparatus and executed by the computingapparatus. In some circumstances, the illustrated or described steps maybe executed in sequences different from those described herein, or themodules or steps may be made into various integrated circuit modulesseparately, or multiple modules or steps therein may be made into asingle integrated circuit module for implementation. In this way, thepresent disclosure is not limited to any specific combination ofhardware and software.

The above are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosure andare not intended to limit the present disclosure, and for those skilledin the art, the present disclosure may have various modifications andvariations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvementsand the like within the principle of the present disclosure shall fallwithin the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data transmission method, comprising:obtaining, by a centralized unit (CU), measurement results of channeltransmission qualities of a plurality of channels from one or moredistributed units (DUs), the channel transmission qualities measured bythe one or more DUs, wherein a data duplication transmission function isconfigured on the plurality of channels to support transmission ofduplicated data on the plurality of channels; determining, by the CU,according to the obtained measurement results, whether to activate thedata duplication transmission function; and performing, by the CU, adata transmission with a terminal on the plurality of channels accordingto the determination, wherein each of the measurement results comprisesa hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmission number.
 2. Thedata transmission method of claim 1, wherein the performing the datatransmission with the terminal on the plurality of channels according tothe determination comprises: in a case that the data duplicationtransmission function is activated, performing transmissions of theduplicated data with the terminal on the plurality of channels.
 3. Anon-transitory storage medium, comprising stored programs which, whenexecuted, perform the data transmission method of claim
 2. 4. The datatransmission method of claim 1, wherein the performing the datatransmission with the terminal on the plurality of channels according tothe determination comprises: in a case that the data duplicationtransmission function is not activated, determining a channel from theplurality of channels to perform the data transmission with theterminal.
 5. A non-transitory storage medium, comprising stored programswhich, when executed, perform the data transmission method of claim 4.6. The data transmission method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the CU from the one or more DUs, an indication of whetherto activate the data duplication transmission function.
 7. Anon-transitory storage medium, comprising stored programs which, whenexecuted, perform the data transmission method of claim
 6. 8. The datatransmission method of claim 1, wherein each of the measurement resultsfurther comprises a channel quality indication (CQI).
 9. Anon-transitory storage medium, comprising stored programs which, whenexecuted, perform the data transmission method of claim
 8. 10. Anon-transitory storage medium, comprising stored programs which, whenexecuted, perform the data transmission method of claim
 1. 11. A datatransmission apparatus, comprising: at least one processor of acentralized unit (CU), configured to; obtain measurement results ofchannel transmission qualities of a plurality of channels from one ormore distributed units (DUs), the channel transmission qualitiesmeasured by the one or more DUs, wherein a data duplication transmissionfunction is configured on the plurality of channels to supporttransmission of duplicated data on the plurality of channels; determine,according to the obtained measurement results, whether to activate thedata duplication transmission function; and perform a data transmissionwith a terminal on the plurality of channels according to thedetermination, wherein each of the measurement results comprises ahybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmission number.
 12. Thedata transmission apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to: in a case that the data duplicationtransmission function is activated, perform transmission of theduplicated data with the terminal on the plurality of channels.
 13. Thedata transmission apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to: in a case that the data duplicationtransmission function is not activated, determine a channel from theplurality of channels to perform the data transmission with theterminal.
 14. The data transmission apparatus of claim 11, wherein eachof the measurement results further comprises a channel qualityindication (CQI).
 15. The data transmission apparatus of claim 7,wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive, from theone or more DUs, an indication of whether to activate the dataduplication transmission function.
 16. A centralized unit (CU)comprising: at least one processor configured to; obtain measurementresults of channel transmission qualities of a plurality of channelsfrom one or more distributed units (DUs), the channel transmissionqualities measured by the one or more DUs, wherein a data duplicationtransmission function is configured on the plurality of channels tosupport transmission of duplicated data on the plurality of channels;determine, according to the obtained measurement results, whether toactivate the data duplication transmission function; and perform a datatransmission with the terminal on the plurality of channels according tothe determination, wherein each of the measurement results comprises ahybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmission number.
 17. The CUof claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: in acase that the data duplication transmission function is activated,perform transmission of the duplicated data with the terminal on theplurality of channels.
 18. The CU of claim 16, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to: in a case that the data duplicationtransmission function is not activated, determine a channel from theplurality of channels to perform the data transmission with theterminal.
 19. The CU of claim 16, wherein each of the measurementresults further comprises a channel quality indication (CQI).
 20. The CUof claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured toreceive, from the one or more DUs, an indication of whether to activatethe data duplication transmission function.